posted on August 23, 2001 10:18:34 PM new
Today I have learn a very expensive lesson I'd like to share with you, the sellers.
I just mailed an 8lbs package by Fedex Ground. The package is ready to send, I did the packaging myself. I sent it at Mail Boxes Etc. because it's closer to my house than Fedex office.
This package should only cost me $6.56 and Mail Boxes charged me for $16.45
This company really ripped people off. I usually send packages by UPS but today I decided to try to use Fedex because I have heard that Fedex Ground is a bit cheaper than UPS Ground but I made a big mistake by sending it through Mail Boxes.
Don't let this company ripped you off.
posted on August 24, 2001 07:00:09 AM new
as an employee of fedex...i totally agree...if you want the best possible pricing..always take it to the fedex drop off center...these middle-men charge way big bunches for nothing!!
posted on August 24, 2001 12:07:02 PM new
i thought they get a percentage from the carrier??
i one time send a small pakage to new youk city,next day delivery for 32 dollars,via the middleman,does it sound right from houston
posted on August 24, 2001 12:43:48 PM new
Yes, I got that price from FedEx website. I know it's low that's why I decided to try FedEx.Like I said, I usually use UPS Ground.
posted on August 24, 2001 02:04:27 PM new
MBE provides a service. Generally, having the choice to use a service or not is better than having no such choice.
Well, we've established who's getting the profit but I'm still unclear as to who is getting the pleasure...
I know it wasn't too pleasurable for me during my one and only encounter with MBE....I could've driven two states for less cost, to pick up a computer, than they charged the seller for my shipment...the price was double what UPS charged....
koto1, you need to post more often...*G*
BTW, how did you manage to register at exactly 12:00:00??
posted on September 2, 2001 03:50:44 PM new
MBE is in business to make a profit like other retail establishments. While I don't go there, I am fully aware, as most are, that they charge a higher rate for shipping. What's the big news flash? If you don't want to pay a higher rate, you should go directly to the shipper yourself. That's the way it works...
posted on September 4, 2001 07:49:41 PM new
Another problem I had was the one time I used mail Boxes etc. was to get a exspensive piece of china wraped and shipped via UPS. Item arrived broken, UPS delcined insurance payment due to improper packing. Once I got the package back I saw that it had been badly packed. Contacted Mail Boxes all the way the up to the coporate offices, basically was blown off. Ended up taking them to small claims court where I finally won. Never again will they get my business.
posted on September 9, 2001 08:44:13 AM new
Also, don't forget to double check the weight on your packages. I had mine weighed at the Post Office first. Shipping weight was 7 lbs. Then I took it to MBE. Mail Boxes Etc had their thumb on the scale to the tune of 4 extra pounds. When I told them that I was going to take the box elsewhere the guy actually had the nerve to offer me a $5 discount to let them ship it. It made me wonder how many people are getting ripped off that don't know about it.
Just for the heck of it, the next week I did it again with another box. This one weighed 9 pounds. The 4 pound finger was still on the scale at this MBE.
I think it's time for a surprise inspection by UPS of this Mail Boxes Etc.
posted on September 27, 2001 08:53:06 PM new
I recently shipped a USPS priority box mailer with delv conf weight 1.2 lbs It was packed addressed and ready I just dropped it off at MBE and they charged me 11.50 (Gasp) never more.
posted on September 28, 2001 06:35:18 AM new
most of these places are owned and run by mom and pops,there is just not enough volume to support the stores,so they have to have a high markup,often that is not enough to offset the expenses.
i doubt the owners pay themselves enough for the hours they put in.
it is a vicious cycle-they dont get even sales volume to price services and products competatively,so the customers do not use their service unless they really have to,then they have no choice but to keep charging higher fee/
unlike us who run a cyber business from our living room,these outfits need to be located in commerical site where it is easily accessible by customers,which translated to commercial rent.
posted on October 4, 2001 04:38:52 PM new
I found out the hard way myself and realized there has to be a better way! After a little investigating I found out that the best way to do shipping is registering with ups.com or myups.com and usps.com for free shipping supplies, boxes, tape, lables, and with ups you can registar, fill out the lables they send you, drop off at your local Mail Boxes ECT or shipping store and not pay a fee for drop off service. UPS will then charge your account when they pick up the item from the store and send you a detailed billing of your shippments in about 2 or three weeks.
Its great! no long drives to UPS and no more over charging at Mail Boxes Ect. However I've tried to registar with FedEx under Business (Not looking in residental) and was unable too but you may want to look into them if you prefer FedEx. The U.S. Postal service only sends free supplies to your door from their website.
I agree there is no way I'll pay for over charging on shipping. I found that with UPS.com I can track, send, Print ground shipping lables on my printer, get free shipping supplies and much more from the convienance of my work space without the hassel of running all over town except to drop off my shippment or have UPS schedule a pick up form my location
posted on October 4, 2001 06:22:12 PM new
afew years ago i looked into ups,the salesperson is obnoxious as hell,speaking at 125 words per minute-besides inputting all that package info onine muself at their site,i have to have enough money in my checking account for them to do auto matic billing,no one mentions anything about free supply,overrall i just cannot afford it,i shipped a lot of small packages and usps is best for me.
what did ups has to say about money in the bank and since when do they give free supply?
posted on October 6, 2001 10:01:28 AM new
I've read through various postings but coldn't see where anyone was forced to accept the price for shipping with Mail Boxes Etc. Please remember that there are other alternatives. Mail Boxes Etc. is there to provide many other services for the customers convinience besides packing and shipping.
posted on October 6, 2001 10:15:13 AM new
When I currently signed up online with UPS the was no request for information on checking account or any background request. However, I did sign up with a commercial account which maybe diffrent process then signing up for residental. Also the free shipping supplies is of course their packaging such as UPS boxs, lables, stickers, and tape to use with thier service as well as if you prefer with the USPS. Check out USPS website on shipping supplies if you prefer to use them for their shipping supplies.
Also, Mail Boxes ECT does do more then then just shipping as mentioned above. The reson for the mark up is like anywere else is to cover the cost of payroll for employees, bills and so on to run the store for its many other convenances. If MBE only charged the smae rate for what the actual cost of shipping would be then they wouldn't make any money and in turn be doing the service for free. Since they proble make a decent profit from shipping it maintains the store business for those who simply pay the "surge-Charge" for convenance.
Sure in my opinion it is overcharging but on the other hand understanding business money is money.
posted on October 6, 2001 10:31:36 AM new
The existence of third-party shipping intermediaries is precisely why an informed buyer needs to contact the seller before bidding when the seller doesn't include a fixed shipping price in the auction.
"Actual shipping costs" doesn't always mean what the FedEX, UPS or USPS site says it does....
That's how I got taken to the cleaners on shipping (the computer I referenced farther up this thread)...I was a newbie (back in '99) who didn't know better and believed what "actual" meant and what the UPS site told me....big difference between 42.00 and 90.00...not bad for slapping a label on the customer's packaging, eh?
I don't blame MBE....mostly myself.... but the seller has some responsibility here too, IMO...
posted on October 17, 2001 06:05:18 PM new
Back when we were Newbies we learned the hard way ourselves -- the very hard way. We'd NEVER use MBE again! And to think they have the EBay sign in their window as an authorized site.
posted on October 17, 2001 06:51:58 PM new
MBE is no more expensive than a bottle of medium quality wine in an Italian restaurant.
Indeed, they seem high to those who regularly pack their own packages, in about the same way that fine restaurant wine seems utterly insane to people accustomed to daily consumption of 1.75l of house brand gin bought for $9.99 in a plastic bottle.
It's just a different market segment. No reason to get bothered.
posted on October 18, 2001 06:58:44 AM new
intermediaries have to make enough to cover cost and earn a living.
some customers dont mind paying,so they have more time to play.
i used to live nearby a college campus-joke is student drives masserati and professor drives toyota,when school is out,students are in a hurry to go home,go to europe and they just let the packers and shippers come to thier places and pack everything and they dont mind paying.
no one works for free,even if you do it yourself,your time is money too.
Sniping works up a thirst"